Railway-traffic-controlling system



March 3, 1931. F. L. DODGSON RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING SYSTEM Filed Oct. 3, 1928 I I I I I I I I I I I I I l J Patented Mar. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES FRANK L. DODGSON, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL SIGNAL COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK;

PATENT OFFICE.

mrnwAY-rmrrc-conrnonnmo SYSTEM I Application flled October 3, 1928. Serial No. 310,094.

- This invention relates to a system for controlling a distant switch machine of a railway system, together with means for, indieating the operation of such switch machine and the passage of a train by the switch operated by such switch machine.

In accordance with'the present invention it is proposed to employ a single circuit connecting a local dispatchers oflice and a switch 1:) machine at a distant point over which circuit the switch machine may be controlled and distinctive indications received giving information as to the operation of the switch machine and the passage of a train by such is distant point. More specifically, it is proposed to give a non-fias ing continuing indicationso long as detector track circuit associated with the track switch operated by such switch machine is occupied, and to give a 2% blinking flashing continuing indication if the-switch machine, for some reason or other,

does not complete its operating stroke, possibly because suitable overload circuit con-e trolling means has been operated.

features of the present invention will in part be apparent from the accompanying drawings and will in part be described hereinafter.

In describing the invention in detail ref- 3c erence will be made to the accompanying sin le drawing illustrating conventionally one embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing the main track rails have been designated 3 and the rails of the passing siding have been designated 4, these rails being insulated at points to define the usual detector track circuit associated with the track switch 6 joining the siding with the main track by insulating joints 5, this detector track circuit including the track battery 7 and the detector track relay DT.

In the conventional track layout illustrated trains passing over the track switch 6 are protected and governed by starting signals 2 and 2, an entering signal 1 and a takesiding signal 1 these signals being governed in any suitable manner in accordance with traiiic conditions in advance thereof, the position of the track switch and the energized condition of the control relay Z, or in a man- Other objects, purposes, and characteristic ner as-moresp'ecifically described in the prior application'of S. N. Wight, Ser. No. 120,423,

filedJuly 3, 1926, or may be governed only.

in accordancewith trafiic conditions and the position of the track switch.

The switch 6 is power op'erated by a suit able switch machine of either-the electropneumaticfor all-electric type as conventionally shown by the dotted rectangle SM protect the switch machine against excessive or prolonged current consumption, and further this arrangement shows means for giving an indication in the tower when such current flow-has been interrupted by one or the other of the cut-out mechanisms NTR'- NS or RTRRS.

The control relay Z is controlled from a local dispatchers otficeDO containing the control apparatus for numerous switch ma ch1nes, of which the'lever L, only has been illustrated, and in which office the indicating relay IRcontrols theindicating'lamp IL. This indicating lamp IL is used to distinc- RAILWAY tively indicate the condition of thedistantuswitch machine ,SM and the condition of occupancy of the detector track circuit containing detector track relay DT.

It is believed that the underlying features of the invention are most readily understood from a description of the operation of the apparatus illustrated.

0peration.Under normal conditions of the apparatus as shown all of the various cir-v cuits are open and de-energized, except the detector track circuit which is a normally energized circuit and maintains the track relay DT in its energized condition. Let us assume that the operatoror dispatcher in the tower DO desires to operate the track switch 6 to the take-sidingposition, and'in order to do so moves the lever L to the left hand dotted position. 7 In this position of the lever completed the control relay Z is energized to the left hand dotted position and then completes the following circuit for the left hand coil of the switch machine controller SMC, provided the detector track relay is energized :beginning at the terminal B, neutral contact 2700f the control relay Z, polar contact '21 in the left hand position,

wires 22and 2-3, windingQl of the switch machine controller SMC, wires 25 and 26, front contact 27 of the track relay DT through the common return wire C, hack to thesource of energy containing terminal 13. Completion of this circuit causes the contact 28 of the switch machine controller to be moved to ,theleft hand dottedposition, in which it will remain until the opposite coil 29 of this controller SMC is energized. In this connection it'may be pointed out that in practicethefront contact of a suitable ap proach locking relay is preferably contained in the wire 2'6, so that this switch machine controller cannot be operated so, long. as the approach locking relay is de-energized, an arrangement of this kind is shown in the Night application above mentioned and may be used, if desired.

l/Vith the contact 28. of the toggle type switch machine controller SMC in its left hand dotted position the following circuit for the switch machine SM is completed startin at the terminal 13 of the switch machine battery, contact 28. of the controller SMG, wire 30, thermal heating coil 31 of the thermal relay NTB, wire 32,- back contact 33 of the stick relay NS', reverse circuit R of the switch machine SM, to the other-terminal C of the local switch machine battery.

The completion of the circuit just traced causes the switch machine to operate the switch 6 to the reverse or take-siding position. It should be noted that the switch box contacts 35 are bridged by themoving contact 36 in the switch box SB so long as the track switch 6 assumes an intermediate position. The bridging of these contacts, however, do-es not effect energization of the stick relay NR or RS unless the corresponding thermal relays NTR or RTE have been operated. This feature of the system is to be more clearly described hereinafter.

lVith the lever L in the left hand position and the control relay Z energizedto the dotted position as heretofore explained, the in .dicating relay IR is also 1n its energized condition andthe lamp lL'in the dispatchers oftlce D0 is extinguished. Should now a train tread upon the detector track circuit containing track relay DT the contact 13 of this track relay is opened and the energizing circuit for the control relay Z and indicating relay IR is broken, so that the backcontact l0 of the indicating relay IR closes the of-the: switch 6, not properly operate and al low the normal or reverse circuits N or R to remain closed too'long, the overload relays NTR or BTR will be operated to close contacts ll l2p' l3 l l. this connection it may be pointed out that the ,Currentcarrying contact ll .is constructed of bimetallic thermal metal and'is bent toward the left as the coil31 is heated and eventually engages the contact 42, and in the same way a similar current-carrying. contact 4:3 is constructed of thermal metal and is bent toward the right as the winding thereof is heated, and engages contact 44 when it has been heated to a pre-. determined extent. I

Let us now assume that the reverse circuit for the switch machine SM heretofore traced is closed and that the coil '31 is heated to an extentto causecontact llto engage 42, possi-' bly by reason'of thefact that the switch niachineSls l was stalled by a lump of coal or ice, orthe like; With the contacts ll- 412 closed the following pick-up circuit for the stick relay NS iscompleted :.-starting at the terminal Bof the switch machine battery. contact 28 of controller SMC in the dotted p0 sition, wire 30, heating coil 31, contacts 41- 42, wires {l5 and 26, winding of the stick relay NS, wi resl? and 48, contacts 8536 of the switch box SB, wire 49, to the normal return wire C connected to the opposite end.

With the pick up circuit just traced closed the stick relay NS is caused to assume its energized condition, and. will thereafter be maintained energized through the following stick circuit :.beginning at the terminal B, contact 28 of the switch. machine controller SM-C, wire 30, coil 31 of thermal relay NTR, wire 32, contact 33 in its raised position, wires 50 and 46, winding of the relay NS, wires 47 and 48, contact 3536 wire 49, to the other terminal C of the switch machine battery, With the stick relay NS in its energized condition the reverse circuit R for the switch machine SM is broken, so as to preventinjury to this switch machine by further flow of currentthrough its apparatus; and further the contact 52 of the relay NS is closed. 7 V v v f Closure of the contact 52 of stick relay NS completes the following energizingcircuit for the flashing relay FL :beginning at theterminal B of a suitable battery, contact 20 of relay Z, polar contact 21 inthe left hand dotted position. wires'22 and 53, front contact 52 of the stickrelay NS, wires 54 .and 55,

' lay energized, as just explained, the .con-

tact 16 is attracted and the energizing circuit for the control Z is broken atv this contact. The interruption of the energizing circuit for control relay Z also de-energizes the indicating relay IR connected in series therewith, so that the contact 40 of this relay IR is dropped and the indicating lamp IL in the disp atchers ofiice D0 is illuminated. A short period of time after breaking of the circuit for control relay Z this control relay Z assumes its de-energized condition, opening its contact 20 and thereby breaking the energizing circuit for the flashing relay FL. After another short interval of time the flashing relay will again assume its deenergized condition, thereby completing the circuit for the control relay Z at the back contact 16 of this flashing relay FL, thus causing energization of the relays Z and IR and causing the indicating lamp ILto again be extinguished. It is, of course, understood that this illumination and extinction, of the indicating lamp IL is repeated, so that this lamp IL is in fact continuously blinked or flashed, informing the operator that the switch machine has not completed its stroke, and its control circuit has been broken by one of the cut-out devices NTR'NS or RTR- RS. In this connection it may be pointed out that should a cut-out device be operated at the extreme end of the operating stroke'on the switch machine, the contact 35-36 in the switch box would be open, and continual flashing of the indicating lamp IL will not result. If the operator is informed in a manner as just explained, that is by flashing of lamp IL, that the switch machine has been stalled by reason of an excessive current, or a normal current flowing for an, excessive period, he may operate his lever L to the opposite position and in so doing interrupt the stick circuit for the particular stick relays NS or RS then energized, thereby returning the apparatus to normal, so that he may again energize the switch machine and operate it either toward the normal or toward the reverse position. In other words, the system illustrated not only shows circuit protecting apparatus for protecting the switch machine circuits against overload, or energization for an undue period of time, but also discloses means for restoring such cut-out apparatus to its normal iii-active condition.

Attention is again directed to the fact, that the indicating lamp IL is not only useful to indicate by flashing thereof that the switch machine cut-out apparatus has functioned,

' but is also useful to indicate occupancy ofthe detector track circuit containing track relay DT. It should be noted that with the controlrelay Z energized through the line circuit including line wire 12 and common;return wire C, this energized condition ofthis line circuit also holds the indicating relay IR'up, but that the treading of a train on the detector track circuit drops relay DT and in turn drops the indicating relay IR, and causes the indicating lamp IL to give a continuing non-flashing illumination so long as this detector track circuit remains occupied.

" Having thus shown and described one rather specific embodiment of the invention, and having shown many of the devices of the system conventionally, it is desired to be understood that the particular apparatus illustrated has been selected to facilitate describing the underlying principles of the invention and not withany intent of limiting its scope nor with the intent of illustrating the exact circuit arrangement preferably employed in carrying out the invention, and that various changes, modifications, and additions may be p i made to adapt the invention to the particular railway problem which the invention is called upon to solve, all without departingfrom v the spirit of the invention or the"idea" of means underlying the same, except as .demanded by the scope of the following claims.

What I claim 1s:

1. In a system ofcontrol chines, the combination with a distant switch 7 machine, a polar control relay for controlling the operation of said switch machine," a local lever for controlling said polar relay through a simple line circuit, an indicating relay in sa1d circuit near sa1d lever, a cut-out device for cutting current olf of said switch machine 1f such current is excessive, and means for intermittently opening said line circuit'and intermittently actuating said indicating relay when current has been cut off of. said switch machine by said cut-out device.

2. In a system of control for switch inachines, the combination with .a distant switch machine, a polar control relay for controlling. the operation of said switch machine,'a local lever for controlling said polar relay through the medium of a simple line circuit, an indicating relay in said circuit near said lever, acut-out device for cutting current off of said switch machine if such current is excessive, means for intermittently opening said line circuit and intermittently actuating sa1d indicating relay when current has been cut off of said switch machine, and means controlled by said lever .and through the medium of said line wirle for restoring said cut-out device to norma i 3. Ina system of control for switch machines, the combination with a distant switch machine, a polar control relay for controlling the operation'of said switch machine, a local ice lever for controlling said polar relay through the medium of a simple line circuit, an indicating relay in said circuit near said lever, a cut-out device for cutting current ofi of said switch machine if such current is excessive, means for intermittently actuating said indicating relay when current has been cut off of said switch machine by said cut-out device, and means controlled by said lever for re storing said cut-out device to normal.

4:. In a system of control for switch rnachines, the combination with a distant switch machine, a polar control relay for controlling the operation of said switch machine, a local lever for controlling said polar relay through a simple line circuit, an indicating relay in said circuit near said lever, a cut-out device for cutting current ofi' of said switch machine if such'current is excessive, a detector track circuit associated with the track switch 0p 7 erated by said switch machine, and means for intermittently opening said line circuit and intermittently actuating said indicating relay when said cut-out device is operated and for opening said line circuit so long'as said detector track circuit is occupied and giving a continuous indication during the passage of a train over said detector track circuit.

5. In asystem' of control for switch machines, the combination with a distant switch machine, a polar controlrelay for controlling the operation of said switch machine, a local leverrfor controlling said polar relay through a simple line circuit, an indicating relay in said circuit near said lever, a cutoutdevice for cuttingrcurrent off of said switch machine if such current is excessive, and means controlled by said switch machine for re storing said cut-out device to normal if it ias been operated near the end of the-op,- erating stroke and the switch machine has actually completed its operating stroke.-

6. In a system of control forjswitch machines, the combination with a distant track switch, a switch machine for operating said track switch, said switch machine having a normal circuit for operating it to the normal position and a reverse circuit for operating I it to the take-siding position, a polar relay controlled from a local office over a line wire which if energized in one direction applies potential to the normal circuit and if energized in the other direction applies potential to the reverse circuit, a cut-out device in each or said normal and reverse circuits each of which opens its associated circuit when the current flow therein is abnormal, and means eiiective if said polar relay is energized to apply potential to one of said switch machine circuits for restoring to normal the cut-out device of the other switch machine circuit.

7 In a system of control for switch machines, the combination with a distant track switch, a switch machine for operating said track switch, said switch machine having a position and a reverse circuit for operating it to the take-siding position, a polar relay controlled from a local office over a line wire which if energized in one direction applies potentialto the normal circuit and if energized in the other direction applies potential to the reverse circuit, a cut-out device in each of said normal and reverse circuits each or" which opens its associated circuit whenthe current flow therein is abnormal, means effective if saidpolar relay is energized to applypotential to one of said switch. machine circuits for restoring to normal the cut-out device-oi the other switch machine circuit, and means for indicating at the tower when position. 7

8. In a system of control for switch machines, the combination with a distant track switch, a switch machine for operating said track switch, said switch machine having a normal circuit foroperating it to the normal position and a reverse circuit for operating it to the take-siding position, a polar relay controlled from a local oiiice over a llne wire WlllCh'lf energized lIl OIIB ClHGClZlOH applies potential to the normal circuit and if energized in the other direction applies potential to the reverse circuit, a cut-out device in each of said normal and reverse circuits each of which opens its associated circuit when the current flow therein is abnormal, and mea ns actuated by the switch machine for restoring a cut-out device to normal it the switch inachine is caused to assume an extreme normal or reverse position.

one or said cut-out devices is in its actuated 9. In a system of control for switch machines,the combination with a distant track switch, a switch machine for operating said track switch, said switch machine having a normal circuit for operating it to the normal position and a reverse circuit for operating it to the take-siding position, a polar relay controlled from a local ofiice over a line wire which it energized in one direction applies potential to the normal circuit and if-energized in'the'other direction applies potential to the reverse circuit, a cut-out device in each of said normaland reverse circuits each of which opens its associated circuit when the current fiowtherein is abnormal, a detector track circuit associated with said track switch, and means for indicating at said office and through the medium of said line wire the presence of a train on said detector track circuit.

10. In a system of control for switch machines, the combination with a distant trackswitch, a switch machine for operating said track switch, said switch machine having a normal. circuit for operating it to the normal position and a reverse circuit for operating it to the take-siding position, a polar relay controlled from a local oiiice over aline wire and'giving' a continuous indication during the passage of a train over said detector track circuit;

18. In a system of control for switch ma- 7 U chines, the combination with a distant switch machine, a control relay for controlling the operation of said switch machine, a local lever for controlling said control relay through a simple line circuit, an indicating 30 relay in said circuit near said lever, a cut-out device for cutting current off of said switch machine if such current is excessive, and 7 means controlled by said switch machine for restoring said cut-out device to normal if it 1 has been operated near the end of the operating'stroke and the switch machine has actually completed its operating stroke.

19. In a system of control for switch machines, the combination with a distant track an switch; a switch machine for operating said track switch, said switch machine having a normal circuit for operating it to the normal position and a reverse circuit for operating it to the take-siding position, a control relay controlled from a local oflice over a line wire which if energized by current of one charac ter applies potential to the normal circuit and if energized by current of another character I applies potential to the reverse circuit, a cutout'device in each of said normal and reverse circuits each of which opens its associated circuit when the current fiowtherein is abnormal, and means effective if said relay is energized to' apply potential to one of said switch 7 machine circuits for restoring to normal the cut-out device of the other switch machine circuit.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

F RANK L. DODGSON. 40 

